Teach Secondary 13.5

you something to share on your social media channels, and many of your school’s neighbours will read local news stories. As each positive story makes its way out into the public sphere, you’re banking reputational capital. And you’re controlling the narrative. ‘Care to comment?’ There are two common scenarios in which youmight be asked for a comment as the headteacher of a school, and both need sensitive handling. The first might relate to something specific to your school, such a parent contacting the local press about something they’re dissatisfied with. The second might involve someone from the local (or indeed national) press looking for a sector expert willing to provide insight into a key news issue. The rising prices of school trips, for example, or the state of school buildings. In either case, I’ve found it helpful to observe the following points: 1. You can decline Remember that you can always say no. If the subject is too hot, or you feel you don’t know enough, politely decline. This is coming from someone who was recently interviewed on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, regarding changes to sex education in primary schools. Should I have declined? Possibly. 2. Written or spoken? Speaking to someone can be much riskier than writing something down. Send in a fewwritten sentences, if that feels safer. 3. Ask for questions in advance If you’re happy to be interviewed, ask to see the questions beforehand. A radio interviewwill obviously be somewhat dynamic, and you can’t completely control where the conversation goes – but you can get at least get a sense of what the main thrust will be. 4. Do some research Have something quantitative on which to ground your position. If you’re commenting on increases in bus fares for your students, get some national data. Knowwhat last year’s percentage was (of whatever it is you’re talking about) so that you can highlight why the current percentage is better or worse. 5. Prepare three things Be ready to provide three insights that relate to the issue. Youmight not use them all, but it’s good to have such material to hand. 6. Enlist some support Your trustees, governors, LA advisors or MAT leads are there to support you. If you’re in a MAT, be aware that they may prefer for their CEO and/or central team to do the talking. 7. Don’t leave a hole for others to fill If you don’t communicate to the outside world what your school is, or is becoming, you risk leaving a hole that others will fill for you. Dedicating time to telling the story of your school will be time well spent. Own your role here, and be proud of the fact that you get to choose the colours. Rebecca Leek has been a primary and secondary teacher, SENCo. headteacher and MAT CEO; she is currently the Executive Director of the Suffolk Primary Headteacher’s Association. WHAT CANAND CAN’T WE DO? Social media was a popular topic during one of our recent webinars on handling parental complaints. Here, we examine some key questions for schools: Canyou send awarning letter to an ex-parent writingwrongful information on social media? Yes, you can send a warning letter to any ex-parents whomay be posting inaccurate or inappropriate information on social media, stating that their behaviour is unacceptable and outlining the consequences of them continuing. This will, however, generally only have impact where individuals havemade the comments in a ‘private’ social media page or group chat, and didn’t expect the school or its staff to see them. If a parent’s Facebook comments risk causing reputational damage to the school, does the school have the right to remove said comments? If the school owns the social media page, it can freely remove any inappropriate comments and/or block individuals from accessing the page if they’re breaching community standards. Can anything be done if a parent labels a member of staff as a ‘bully’ on social media? Parents can lawfullymake statements of fact, or express heartfelt opinions or beliefs, in person or online, about the school and its staff – even if these could be considered as unkind, unpleasant or disagreeable. However, comments made online by parents could, in some cases, be considered defamatory in relation to individual members of staff.An action for defamation is a personal action,meaning that only the person who believes they have been defamedmay bring proceedings. Legal advice should always be sought if a claim for defamation is being considered. Victoria Hatton is a Senior Associate in the education team at Browne Jacobson; find more FAQs on parental complaints via bit.ly/ts135-HTS1 “The effects ofyour school beingwritten about positivelyaremanifold” 59 teachwire.net/secondary L E A D E R S H I P